October 1999 Exhibition

Women Artists in America: Past and Present

October 1 - October 31, 1999
For your information, we have provided a listing of all of the works of art in the exhibition at exhibition checklist.  

View the current exhibition schedule.

Exhibition Catalogue:

In 1976, Linda Nochlin and Ann S. Harris published a groundbreaking book and curated a major exhibition which chronicled the work of women artists throughout art history. This major art historical contribution paved the way for contemporary society to celebrate the artwork of women artists from 1550 to 1950. Overlooked for centuries, Nochlin and Harris provided a resource for the study of women in art and a method for art enthusiasts to learn about women artists through the ages.

In that same spirit, Masterpiece Technologies Inc.'s exhibition, Women Artists in America: Past and Present features art by prominent women artists working in all media from the beginning of the 1900s to the present. This show features an intimate yet comprehensive overview of art by women artists working in this country in this century. 

Works on view include pieces by the Ashcan School painter, Elizabeth Grandin (active 1910-50), who studied with Robert Henri, John Sloan, and George Luks. Active at the beginning of this century, Grandin and other women artists broke down barriers in art schools and in society at large in order to make their art. 

Similarly, this show includes other women whose art served to overcome obstacles such as Miriam Schapiro (active 1970-80). Schapiro is best known as the progenitor of the Women's Art Movement (or Pattern and Decoration Art) of the 1970s. Art by women artists like Judy Chicago, Faith Ringgold and Audrey Flack was at the forefront of the American art scene while the fight for the Equal Rights Amendment took place on Capitol Hill.  

To bring this exhibition of women artists' work full circle, I have included new work by contemporary American artists in various media and styles such as the expressive, non-objective work of Jeanne Wilkinson, the directly modern drawings of Jill Hoffman, the realistic figure pieces by Kathryn Schaar Burke, and the pinhole photography of Jett Ulaner Sarachek. As we celebrate the contributions of women artists in this show, I have  provided biographical information about the artists represented and their work. I hope you enjoy the exhibition! 

Dr. Lori
Director, Masterpiece Technologies Inc.

Susan Gottlieb

Susan Gottlieb focuses on the tradition of abstract art and applies it to still life paintings based on the writings of philosopher, Carl Jung. Using pastel and pencil on paper, Susan's pieces transcend time and evoke an ancient reference as well as a contemporary premise in color and composition. Susan retains a studio and makes art in historic Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Elizabeth Grandin

The New Jersey artist, Elizabeth Grandin, was born in 1889 and studied with the pioneer artist of the Ashcan School, Robert Henri. Her work shows Henri's influence as well as that of his colleagues George Luks and John Sloan. Grandin remains one of the most popular students of Robert Henri and one of art history's famous women artists. 

Grandin's uses color to define form. Like works of art by Cezanne and the Americans of the early 1900s, her paintings show the bold brushwork of the Ashcan School. Working alongside the Ashcan School pioneers in the early 1900s, Grandin painted scenes of New York City and the Immigrant Experience in America. She followed the artistic rules set forth by modern masters such as Henri, John Sloan, George Luks, and Paul Cezanne as she used color to capture three-dimensional form. 

Jill Hoffman

We are proud to introduce Jill Hoffman to Masterpiece Technologies Inc.. A native of the southwest, Jill offers stunning works on paper as well as lithographic prints. Addressing still life compositions and landscape scenes, Jill conveys the universal interest in luscious color through her work. A National Endowment for the Arts fellow, Jill's work has been featured in museums and galleries throughout the United States.

Kathryn Schaar Burke

Kathryn's pieces reflect her love of the figure and her mastery of various media. An extremely challenging artistic subject, the human figure has inspired many artists for centuries and Kathryn is no exception. Her work is derived from vintage photographs that she translates into watercolor, oil, or pencil. 

Miriam Schapiro

Along with Joyce Kosloff, Faith Ringgold, and Judy Chicago, the Women's Art Movement of the 1970s was spearheaded and promoted by the work of Miriam Schapiro. An exhibition of 20th century art by American women would not be complete without representing the work of this fine artist. Schapiro's work references traditional artistic forms historically made by women, such as fans and quilts, for inspiration and direction in her contemporary pieces. 

Jett Ulaner Sarachek

A photographer for nearly three decades, Jett's pinhole photography relates to her interest in the intimacy and personal qualities of the photographic medium. The pinhole compositions, simplified yet striking, capture Jett's keen understanding of form and subtle tonalities in black and white photography. 

Jeanne Wilkinson

Jeanne Wilkinson's art shows her art history background and interest in various styles from expressionism to minimalism. These modular paintings reference forms as diverse as Renaissance tapestries and 1950s Action Painting. Each composition may be arranged within a large group or displayed individually

Curated by Dr. Lori, Director

Masterpiece Technologies Inc. displays this exhibition at 15 W. Mechanic Street, New Hope, PA. View driving directions